The EscapeandRescued Memories: New York Storiesare companion performance pieces inspired by stories of women who became vulnerable upon their arrival in the United States in the early 20th century. They seek to shed light on the the social history of the period for the Chinese in America, as well as the struggles and achievements of the women’s movement.

The multimedia projection in The Escapehighlights a site-specific re-creation of scenes from Cameron House in San Francisco Chinatown, where more than 2,000 women received shelter, education, and opportunities, or sought refuge from forced domestic labor or servitude. These women came through Cameron House to recover their lives and make positive contributions to the community and society at large.

Rescued Memories: New York Stories is inspired by stories of women who sought shelter from human trafficking in missions in New York Chinatown in the early 20th century. These missions provided refuge from forced domestic labor or servitude during the period of the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882–1943).

These works provide insight into the role that community institutions and practices initiated during the era of Exclusion played in creating social infrastructure for the Chinese in America. Such institutions presented an alternative to the dangerous environment and fostered healthy, lasting communities. The performance pieces connect this history with today’s fabric of organizations and individuals on the front lines of the continuing struggle against the exploitation of women in our communities.

For more information on presentations of works in progress and related events, please visit the Artist Fellows page.

Ticket Information

Tickets are $15 general and $10 for museum members and are available online beginning October 1 until they sell out.

Sponsor

This event is presented in partnership with Asian Improv aRts, Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center, and Donaldina Cameron House. Artist Fellows is supported through the generosity of the James Irvine Foundation's Innovation Fund and the Institute of Museum and Library Services/Museums for America. Additional support is from Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University; Asian Women Giving Circle;, California Arts Council; CA$H, a grants program administered by Theatre Bay Area in partnership with Dancers’ Group; Djerassi Resident Artists Program; Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund; San Francisco Arts Commission; WKK Donor-Advised Fund of the San Francisco Foundation; Puffin Foundation; and Zellerbach Family Foundation. Thank you also to our community partners: Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, Asian Women’s Shelter, New York Asian Women’s Center, San Francisco Department on the Status of Women, and Dancers’ Group.